Mixing container for segregated ingredients of therapeutic preparations



Patented Apr. 28, 1953 MIXING CONTAINER FOR SEGREGATED INGREDIENTS F THERAPEUTIC PREP- ARATIONS Marshall L. Lockhart, Rutherford, N. J assignor to The Compule Corporation, Rutherford, N. J a corporation of New Jersey Application December 22, 1950, Serial N 0. 202,334

The present invention relates to mixing containers for storage of segregated ingredients of liquid therapeutic preparations manipulatable to bring them together for admixture, one form being of such construction as to permit needle access for withdrawal of mixture-contents and another form allowing direct hypodermic administration of mixture contents. Devices of the present invention constitute improvements on those disclosed and claimed in my respective copending patent applications Plural Compartment Admixing Vials for Segregated Storage of Ingredients of Solutions and Liquid Mixtures, Serial No, 160,988, filed May 9, 1950, and Single Dosage Disposable Hypodermic Syringe Ampules and Assemblies, Serial No. 202,333, filed December 22, 1950. A general object of the present invention is to provide such mixing container structures, the parts of which are of simple construction, readily produced economically on a mass basis, and easily assembled together to form vials and/or syringe barrel structures subdivided into chambers for segregated storage of liquid therapeutic preparation components with intercommunication therebetween being readily permitted by gate means removable by fluid pressure developable in one chamber with application of manual pressure ex ternally to a flexible Wall thereof. I

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide such devices which are characterized by the walls of one chamber being in the form of a collapsible tube so that when squeezed effectively will develop hydraulic pressure in a con tained body of liquid component to force a' par'ti tionin'g plug out into an adjacent mixing chamber in which another component is temporarily housed, so as to bring the components together for admixture in an efficient and simple manner.

A further object of the present invention is to provide such a device in the form of a self-contained hypodermic syringe construction wherein certain hypodermic needle mechanism thereof may be manipulated in a simple manner to .com municate with the interior for direct hypodermic administration of mixture contents upon-squeezing a collapsible tube section thereof, following an initial squeezing operation creating hydraulic pressure in a liquid-containing chamber isolated from another chamber in which another preparation component is housed to unseat a'partition plug permitting intercommunication and admixture of components.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide such hypodermic syringe construction in a form which permits aspiration by construct- 6 Claims. (Cl. 128216) ing the flexible wall of the liquid storage chamber from elastic material and. preferably,'as a col,- lapsible tube made from elastic plastic material.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and I objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in con- "nection with the accompanying drawing, in

which:

Fig. 1 isa side view, with parts broken away and in axial section, of an embodiment ofthe mixing container of the present invention em ployable to bring segregated components of liquid preparations together for admixture and from which mixture contents can be removed by a hollow needle pierced through a wall thereof, in? dicating in dot-dash lines compression of walls to create plug-unseating' hydraulic pressure in one chamber;

Fig. 2 is a view "similar to Fig. 1 showing the embodiment thereof in a favored inverted position after the partition plug has been driven from its seat by hydraulic pressure to bring the preparation components together, and indicating by a double-ended arrow longitudinal shaking to accomplish effective admixture;

Fig' 3 is a perspective view of the structure shown inFig. 21-indicating puncture by a hypodermic needle'of a Wall of the container for removal of mixture contents;

Fig". 4 is a sectional view similar to Fig. 1 of another embodiment of thepresent invention equipped with hypodermic needle mechanism to permit"hypodermic' administration of mixture contents directly therefrom;

Fig. 5 is a view somewhat similar to Fig. 2 showing inversion of the embodiment of Fig. 4 after hydraulic pressure removal of the partition plug and indicating by a'double-ended arrow longitudinal shaking for efiective' admixture of preparation components; I

Fig. 6 is a sectional detail, with parts broken away, taken on an enlarged scale, of the syringe head of the device shown in Figs. 4 and 5, indicating manipulation of hypodermic needle mechanism toefiect communication to the interior of the container; and. l I

Fig. '7 is a perspective view similar to Fig. 3 of the device shown in Figs. 4, and 6, showing it ready for use in direct hypodermic administration of mixture contents,

Referring to the drawing, in which like numerals identify similar parts throughout, it will be seen that one vial embodiment of the present invention shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 may comprise a container It, preferably in the form of a tubular structure, with one end ll thereof defining :a liquid storage chamber 62 and the other end 13 thereof defining a mixing chamber 44 for storage therein of another component of a liquid therapeutic preparation. In the embodiment shown in those figures, the end II oftubular structure "I providing liquid chamber i2 is so constructed that a wall of the latter is flexible for reducing the cubic capacity of thatchamber to create therein fluid pressure, more specifically hydraulic pressure when a body [5 of liquid component is confined therein, upon depression of the flexible wall. Preferably this is accomplished by forming that end it of the tubular construction 10 asa collapsible tube, the side walls of which aresnade of flexible sheet material and preferably are formed of elastic plastic material, such as one'of the polyethy'lenes. Desirabiy the material employed for the collapsible tube section ii is transparent, at least to a degree permitting inspection of contents and observation of interior parts of the device. Preferably the collapsible tube section I I has formed integral therewith an end wall or "head i5 having therein a relatively smallaxial "passage 11 defined by a seat in which is frictionally seated a gateplug 1 8.. The gate plug may be, if desired, formedin the shape of a cup of relatively rigid plastic or rubber composition, preferably slightly larger than the passage'hole 11 so as 'to be securely gripped in its seat temporarily to confine iiquid body 15 inchamber J2. Collapsible tube section ii is :olosedxat its other end I 9 in any su table manner, .such as by bringing opposed portions o f'the side wall together and adhering-or heat-sealing'them to each other, as indicated.

The other'tubular section '13 of the container structure In preferably is in the form of an elongated tubular cup, as shown, having a closed end wall with its lip 21 fric'tionally-engagedover the head it of' the collapsible tube sect on H and seating against a shoulder 22-provided by a cir cumferential flange 1:23 integrally formed with the sidewalls of the collapsible tube. In this manner the'cup-shaped section 113 houses in its chamber M a body of another component of the therapeutic preparation, such :as discrete particles 24 of medicinal solids. Preferably cup section i3- is made of any suitable rigid-orseIri-ri-gid material, such as metallic composition, glass, plastic, etc. Preferably it is formed of relatively .rigid plastic material having at least sufficient transparency topermitzinspectionof contents. I

In use and operation of the-vial embodiment shown in Figs. ,1, 2 and 3, the container in is chargedwith a body ifi o'f liquid component confined-in the collapsible tube section ii, and solids 2-4 are loaded into the chamber M, withthose component materials isolated from each other by the partition formed by head l8 and the seated plug-b8. Intercornmunication between chambers may :be brought about in a simplemanner' by squeezing inward .on the side walls of the collapsible tube H in the direction of the arrows 25, .25, :as shown in Fig. l, which will create hydraulic pressure in chamber l2 to unseat .gate plug 18 into mixingchamber [4. With further collapse of the side walls of the tube ll, liquid 15 will be forced through passage l8 and the device may then be inverted, as shown in Fig. 2, to assure complete transfer of the liquid to mixing chamber M to bring it into contact with the solids 24. As indicated in Fig. 2, with the device approximately in the position suggested therein, thorough admixture of the liquid component with the solids is assured by shaking it longitudinally in the direction of the double-ended arrow 26 efiectively to prepare the therapeutic preparation admixture.

Thereafter, mixture contents of container 10 may be removed by piercing a hollow needle through a pierceable wall thereof. In the event that the cup section i3 is made of relatively rigid material-with the collapsible tube section ll being relatively more readily pierceable, the device as positioned in Fig. 2 may be reversed end-forend to spill the mixture contents back into collapsible tube chamber 62. A hypodermic needle 21 may then be pierced through a wall of the lattercnear its bottom end i 9 to withdraw mixture contents, :as indicated in Fig. 3, and it is :to be understoodthatFig. .3 is not intended to dictate a substantially lateral position of the container during withdrawal of contents. Actually the closed end is of collapsible tube section H desirably may be oriented to a lowermost position so as to assure eiiective withdrawal of a maximum amount of the mixture contents.

Although it is proposed to confine a body i 5 of liquid component in collapsible tube chamber i2 which substantiallyfllls the same, fluid pressure suincientto unseat plug is may be developed therein if that chamber should also contain a quantity'of gaseous medium,'such as air, or if the locations of the isolated liquids and solids were reversed with solids 24 confined in collapsible tube .l :i witha bodyof gaseous medium. Further,

should the walls of cup section 13 be of needlepierceable material, of course mixture contents could be withdrawn therethrough.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 4 to '7, inelusive, thecup section forming the mixing cham. her is modified to have its outer end closed by suitable hypodermic needle mechanism. For this purpose, a tubularsection H3'.may be substituted for the cup section '13, preferably having' at both ends thereof inturned circumferential-flanges 28, 2B. The inturned flange 28 at one-end maybe seated in a circumferentialgroove in .the head 16 of the collapsible tube section H for furtherassurance of secureattachment thereto. The inturned flange 28 at the other end of tubular section -H3 seats in a circumferential groove in a syringehead 2,9,with the latter closing-off that end .to confine within chamber l 6 the solids .2.4.-

The syringe head 29 may take one ofthe many forms proposed in my copending application for Single Dosage Disposable Hypodermic Syringe identified above, and thus, by way of example, maybe in the form of a transversely-extending bodyihavingan outwardly-extending axially arranged-neck 39 in which a longitudinally-extending socket 13! is formed, preferably by an axial boreclosed on at its inner end by .a needlepierceable diaphragm .32. As proposed in that copending application, such hypodermic syringe head structure may be made from elastic plastic composition comprising .a polyethylene so that diaphragm 32 will be needle-piercea'ble and when pierced by a needle the margins of. the hole will securely grasp the exterior surface of the needle to' form a-fluid-tight seal.

There is slidably mounted in the bore 3| a suitable support body 33 which may be formed of substantially rigid material, such as relatively rigid plastic or metal, preferably slightly oversize so as to be frictionally held in any desired position, such as an outer initial position," and circumferentially milled, if desired, as shown in Fig. 4. A double-ended hypodermic needle 34 is carried by and extends through the support body 33 with its inner end 35 initially arranged outwardly or short of diaphragm 32. The outer injecting end 36 of the needle 34 extends appreciably beyond the neck as indicated. A capsulelike protective cover cap 3! is provided to house the outer end 36 of needle 34 and has its inner end38 frictionally engaged in the outer end of bore 3| to be temporarily held securely in the initial position indicated in Fig.- 4, with its inner edge juxtaposed to the outer face of support body 33. If desired, cap 37! may have stop means comprising a circumferential shoulder 39 adapted to abut against outer end 40 of neck 30 when slid inwardly in bore 3|, to limit inward travel of needle support 33 so as to avoid any tendency for the latter to injure the diaphragm 32 after the inner needle end has punctured the latter.

In operation of the hypodermic syringe'embodiment shown in Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive, pressure will be applied externally to the flexible walls of the collapsible tube H, such as in the direction of the arrows 25, 25 in Fig. 5. This, as explained above, will develop fluid pressuresuflicient to unseat partition plu it into mixing chamber M. The device will then be inverted to a position similar to that proposed in Fig. 2 or- Fig. 6, to bring the needle bore into communication with the interior of the container or its mixing chamber l 4 and the body 4| of therapeutic mixture therein. 7 Y Y V The operator will then withdraw protective cap 3! from the bore 3! so as to condition the device of Figs. 1 to '7 inclusive for hypodermic administrative use, as depicted in Fig. 7, with the outer injecting end 36 of the needle 34 exposed for thrusting into -a patients flesh. Should the operator desire thereafter some aspirationfor a show of blood at the inner end 35 of the needle as viewed through the transparent elastic walls of collapsible tube section I I, slight depression on those walls in the direction of the arrow 42 of Fig. '7 and then release will effect such aspiration. Thereafter, injection of liquid mixture contents M of the device is effectively accomplished if it is held inverted in a position similar to that shown in Fig. 5 to assure a head of the mixture contents above the inner end of the needle, and squeezing pressure is applied externally of the flexible walls of the collapsible tube l l. Fluid pressure developed in the gaseous head above the liquid mixture M will expel the latter through the needle bore.

It is to be understood that many variations proposed in the above identified copending applications, or parts thereof, which are adaptable to logical employment in embodiments of the present invention within the scope of the claims of the present application are intended to be covered by the latter. .It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efiiciently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction and different embodiments of the invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

It isalso to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure'by Letters Patent is:

1. A hypodermic syringe construction for storage of segregated ingredients of liquid therapeutic preparations to .be administered thereby comprising, in combination, a collapsible tube of elastic plastic material closed at one end by a transverse wall to provide therein a liquid storage chamber, said wall having a relatively small opening therein defined by aseat, tubular means having its inner end fitted over the walled end of said collapsible tube to define therein a mixing chamber, a gate plug adapted to be frictionally held temporarily in said seat for isolating said chambers from each other temporarily" and being capableof being forced into saidm'ixing chamber by creation of hydraulic pressure in said liquid storage chamber with-collapse of the walls of the latter when a body of liquidward of said body toward said diaphragm while terminating, short thereof with a passage extend ing from end to end, said diaphragm-piercing inner end of said needle and said diaphragm being, adapted to be brought together to cornmunicate the nee-die structure passage with the interior of said tubular means whereby said construction may serve after admixture of therapeutic preparation components therein as a hypodermic syringe for administration of mixture contents.

2. The hypodermic syringe mixing container as defined in claim 1 characterized by the provision of a removable cover mounted over the outer end of said needle and frictionally engaged into said socket outward of said body.

3. The hypodermic syringe mixing containe as defined in claim 2 characterized by said support body being slidably mounted in said socket to carry forward said diaphragm-piercing inner end of said needle to puncture of said diaphragm,

and said removable cover being slidably mounted essence inflsaid sachet to push said support body forward therein upon depression to pierce the innerend of said needle through said diaphragm to communication with the interior of said container.

4. A hypodermic syringe for storage of segregated ingredients of liquid therapeutic preparations to be administered thereby comprising, in combination, elongated tubular means subdivided into two end chambers by va transverselyextending partition wall having an intercommunicating passage therein defined by a seat with the walls of said tube of at least one end thereof being formed of flexible material and with said end being closeable to confine a body of liquid component of the therapeutic preparation therein, means to close the other end of said tube to isolate therein other material component :of said preparation and having a longitudinally-estending socket closed off at its inner bottom end by a needle-pierceable diaphragm, a double-ended hollow hypodermic needle means slidably mounted in said socket and frictionally held temporarily in the outer portion of the latter Withits inner end located short of said diaphragm, means to slide said needle means forward in said socket to puncture of said diaphragm, and a gate plug adapted to be frictionally held temporarily in said seat for isolating :said chambers from each other temporarily and capable of being forced into and loosely receiyable in said second chamber by creation of hydraulic pressure in said first chamber upon collapse of walls of the latter with confinement therein of a body of liquid component.

6. A hypodermic syringe for the storage of segregated ingredients of liquid therapeutic preparations to be administered thereby comprising, in combination, a collapsible tube closed at one end by a-wall having an outlet passage therein temporarily closed by a gate plug, said gate plug being capable of being .forced out of the passage by creation of hydraulic pressure in said collapsible tube, cup means having its inner end fitted over the walled end of said collapsible tube to isolate therein vanother component of the preparation and to receive the liquid component from the collapsible tube .for admixture of components when said gate plug is forced into said cup means ,by hydraulic presas sure upon collapse of said tube, means closing the outerend of said cup means and having an anal bore therein closed at its inner end by a needle pierceable diaphragm, a suppont element slidably mounted in said bore and irictionally held in an outer position therein, a hypodermic needle mounted through and carried by said support. element with the inner-end of said needle temporarily held spaced outwardly from said diand slidable cap means'ifrictionally mounted in the outer end of said herein a removable manner protectively covering the outer end of said needle and adapted upon (being slid forward .in .said bore to push said support element ahead of it to carry the inner end of said needle to puncture of said diaphragm .and into communication with the interior of said cup means.

6. A hypodermic syringe for segregated storage of ingredients of liquid therapeutic preparations to be administered thereby comprising, in combination, aoollapsible tube of elastic plastic material closeable at one end to confine .a body of liquid ingredient therein and having its other end closed by a head provided with an axial outlet passage temporarily closed by a gate plug capable of being forced out of the passage by hydraulic pressure developable when the tube is filled with confined fluid and its elastic walls are squeezed inwardly, a tubular extension hav-. ing its inner end vfitted to said head to provide a mixing chamber temporarily to isolate thereinanother ingredient, (a syringe head closing the outer end of said tubular extension and having an axial bore therein closed at its inner end by a needle-pierceable diaphragm of elastic plastic material, a needle support frictional-1y receivable in said bore and slidable inwardly therein to an inner position from an outer initial position, a hypodermic needle carried by and extending through said support with its inner end located short of said diaphragm when said sup port is at its outer initial position said bore with the outer end of said needle extending out of said here when said support is at its inner position therein, and a cupped capsule having an open inner end protectively receivable of the outer end of said needle and .frictionally receivable in a reciprocative manner in the outer end-0f said bore beyond said support to push said needle inner end forward to puncture of said diaphragm and then to be removed for iniective use of the outer end of said needle with the bore of the latter in communication with said mixing chamber.

MARSHALL L. LO'CKHART.

References Cited in the 'file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,288,174 Pittenger Dec. '17., 1918 1A55,047 Goold May 15, 1923 2;i=4li,4'7'7 Folkman July 20, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 282,622 Germany Mar. '11, 1915 513,488 Germany May 20,, 1.935 

